The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-10-14
SAVED BY A JACK.
A story of the Plains
BY FRANK W. CALKINs.

the South Platte river, some so miles
above the little station OF Julesburgh.
We had embarrassed the horses from
our big wagon and picketed them out
to feed near the high stockadc of a
solitary ranch station. Over the top
of the stockade posts the grass-grown
roofs of several adobe cabins were vis-
BILE. On the roof of one of these
half grown antelope kid was industri-
ously cropping the heritage, and by its
side lay another, serenlcy asleep. its
head thrown back over its shoulder.
Beyond the stockade and adjoining
t., was another Enclosure of several
acres, surrounded by high board
fence; large stock corral in fact, in
which several ponies were standing,
lazily whisking away the flies, evidently
too much overcome by the flies to
make any further eXertion. These and
the anleopes were the only signs Of life
about the place.
"GueSs this ranch takes care 81 it.
sell, remarked one of our party, who
at that moment was attending to a
skillet of venison steak over a fire of
dry drift sticks, which he had picked
ap on the banks of the river. "Guess
old Cliff would stir up these fellows, If
he knew they all went off'n left the
house with Il couple of tame antelopes
for guard.
On the first hating for the night, we
had ratified at the gate of the stockade,
in the hope that we might be let in and
given n chance for fresh water at the
we'll; but the gate was barred inside,
and the place was apparently deserted,
We rather wondered at that, for we
had heard of this ranch, and knew 1t
to be one of the Cattle King" "Cliff's
out-post--a ground up point for the
great range over which his thousands
Of cattle fed. winter and summer. But
as we sat down to our supper OF bis
cults, steak, canned tomatoes, and
coffee, we heard the big gate of the
stockade squeak on its hinges, and a
moment later there sauntered out to us
a tall, strapping young fellow in awool-
BIZ shirt and buckskin leggins. He had
On his head wide brimmed, white
wool hat, with red leather band, and
On his feet high-topped, high-heeled
boots, at the counters Of which jingled
pain of Spanish spurs.
There was also a pair of big Colts"
IN his belt. His wooden shirt was open
In front, the sleeves were rolled up to
the elbow and the deep tan-color of his
arms matched well the bronze of the
breast. neck and face. He had the
biggest and liercest of black moustach-
rs and pair of sharp black eyes to
, match it.
A remarkable figure, perhaps the
render may think. but one that with
some modification of form or feature,
will soon grow familiar to the camper
in the 'cattle country"
'Hullo," feilers ~ said this specimen
,owboy, as he came up and leaned his
elbow upon the hind wheels of our
wagon.
"huilo,' said we, and then, in the
short. suggestive parlance of the coun-
try we asked. EAT ?"
you bet!' was the cheerful rejoind-
sr. and the stockman flung himself
down into the circle about our oilcloth,
and was helped to n pint cup OF coffee
and some tomatoes, and helped himself
literally to biscuit and fried antelope.
Got nothn' but cold grub in the
the ranch" he explained between
mouthfuls, IAN it's too mighty hot to
makes fires now. Nobody here but me;
ooys gone up on Lodge Pold to run in
the stravs. BEN asleep all the after
noon. Ratified the gate did YEP Wall.
now, must be snoozer! Curis what
risks man'll take in this country.
Now, here's you fellows trailin' about
All alone, the four of We. and me here
i-sleepin' alone, IN doDe, an SIX
hundred Cheyennes turned loose on
The country above"
Fact" he said, cody, noticing our
looks of surprise. not unmixed with
alarm. Eyes, sir; runner come down
rom the ranch above an warned me
Yesterday. They've Quilted one ranch
M there. killed a cowman an run off a
lot o. stock; expect EN- down here any
time. A lot of 'em come down here
last year and caught us snoozin.' right
IN broad day noon. too"